The spreading coronavirus threat continues to create chaos with cancellations and uncertainty about boxing’s schedule over the next several weeks, including Canelo Alvarez’s projected super middleweight bout against Billy Joe Saunders on May 2 in Las Vegas.
It still hasn’t been announced and it’s not clear when, or if, it will.
Not even Saunders promoter Eddie Hearn is sure, although he expects an announcement, perhaps early this week.
“I do think it will be announced early next week now,” Hearn told iFL TV Saturday. “Everyone is getting their head around [coronavirus] and putting a strategy together. Billy Joe and Canelo is done, and all of the terms are agreed on that fight.’’
President Donald Trump announced further travel restrictions for U.K. and Irish citizens Saturday. Hearn said Saunders, who lives outside London, is already in the United States.
“Billy Joe is actually in America training right now,’’ Hearn said.
But it’s not clear whether promoters would want to proceed with the fight if the restrictions would limit U.K. fans from traveling to the U.S. for the bout. Canelo Alvarez is tied to Golden Boy Promotions.
“There is supposed to be a press conference,’’ Hearn said. “We’ll see what happens.”
The Nevada State Athletic Commission suspended combat sports through March 25 at an emergency meeting Saturday. The state’s regulatory agency will decide on events after that date at a meeting scheduled for March 25.
“You’d like to think there is a very strong chance for May 2,” Hearn said. “Will it be postponed to the end of May, early June? Maybe. But that’s one for Golden Boy.”